Program Spotlight: LI Yellow Jackets

Program Spotlight: Long Island Yellow Jackets

Today’s Club Spotlight features none other than the Long Island Yellow Jackets—a powerhouse in the girls’ lacrosse world. Rooted in the lacrosse hotbed of Long Island, the Yellow Jackets have expanded up and down the East Coast, fielding multiple teams per age group and creating more opportunities for young athletes to develop and compete at the highest level. Regularly ranked among the Top 25 nationally, the program has a proven track record of producing some of the top talent in the country.

Leadership at the Helm

At the heart of this elite organization is Carol Rainson-Rose, CEO of the Long Island Yellow Jackets and one of the most decorated high school lacrosse coaches in New York State history. With over 500 career wins, Rainson-Rose is the winningest coach in NYS history, leading Northport High School to numerous state, regional, and county championships since 1990.

Her leadership has developed over 140 High School All-Americans and more than 200 Division I collegiate athletes, setting the gold standard for player development. In addition to her role with the Yellow Jackets, she serves as CEO of the Long Island Elite Lacrosse Club and has been instrumental in elevating youth lacrosse nationally for over two decades.

Rainson-Rose's accolades include:

• 2× NYS Champion (2011, 2019)

• 17× Suffolk County Champion

• 2019 NFHS National Coach of the Year

• 2018 US Lacrosse NYS Coach of the Year

• 7× Division I Suffolk County Coach of the Year

She’s also made a significant impact on the national stage, serving as head coach for:

• Under Armour All-America teams

• US Lacrosse U-15 Nationals

• Empire State Games (multiple gold and silver medals)

A former All-American player (1986) and professional football player with the NY Sharks (1999–2001), Rainson-Rose is a member of five prestigious halls of fame, including the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. She holds advanced degrees in physical education and administration and has been honored as Northport Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year.

A Model for Club Excellence

Given her pedigree, it’s no surprise that Rainson-Rose has built one of the most successful club programs in the country. While the Yellow Jackets will always call Long Island home, the program now boasts branches in:

• Pleasantville, NY – Yellow Jackets North

• Dutchess, NY-Yellow Jackets Dutchess

• Rockland, NY-Yellow Jackets Rockland

• Richmond, VA – Yellow Jackets South

• Northern Virginia – Yellow Jackets Mid-Atlantic

Each age group features multiple teams, named after the head coach. Though some may see this depth as oversaturation, the Yellow Jackets continue to attract top-tier talent and dedicated players who thrive in the program’s developmental structure. The coaching staff includes top high school coaches, former college standouts, and national team players, offering year-round mentorship to aspiring athletes.

As noted on their website:

“The Yellow Jackets are the FIRST and FINEST competitive Long Island girls' lacrosse travel club program. They are highly recognized as the Premier club on Long Island and in the United States. Yellow Jackets are a SELECT LACROSSE CLUB looking for the BEST players from Long Island! Teams are coached by Top HS Coaches, USA/World Cup Players, All-Americans, and Collegiate players who are dedicated year-round to developing the top lacrosse players from our region.”

We couldn’t agree more. The Yellow Jackets consistently produce elite athletes, sending them to top collegiate programs across all divisions—and even to the international stage.

Stars Among the Swarm

• Ally Kennedy, a Team USA standout and former Stony Brook Seawolf, once wore the Yellow and Navy. This summer, she helped Team USA capture gold at the Pan-American Games and qualify for the 2026 World Championships.

• Alexa Spallina, the #1 recruit in the Class of 2025, made national headlines when she switched her commitment from Syracuse to Clemson, helping secure the Tigers’ spot as the top-ranked 2025 recruiting class in the country.

Top Teams in the Nation

Here’s how their teams currently stack up in the national rankings:

• 2026 Yellow Jackets Manning – #3

• 2026 Yellow Jackets Torre – #21

• 2026 Yellow Jackets Voss-#60

• 2026 Yellow Jackets Gryzelcyzk-#110

• 2027 Yellow Jackets Stadler – #2

• 2027 Yellow Jackets Gaghan-#31

• 2027 Yellow Jackets Piscitelli-#109

• 2028 Yellow Jackets Maget – #4

• 2028 Yellow Jackets Napolitano-#48

• 2028 Yellow Jackets Caranannte-#79

• 2028 Yellow Jackets Ramos-#164

• 2029 Yellow Jackets Friedman – #1

• 2029 Yellow Jackets Manning/Duswalt-#44

• 2029 Yellow Jackets Marinelli-#300

• 2030 Yellow Jackets Babst – #1

• 2030 Yellow Jackets O’Sullivan – #18

• 2030 Yellow Jackets Mullen-#83

• 2031 Yellow Jackets Curcio – #3

• 2031 Yellow Jackets Patrone-#61

• 2032 Yellow Jackets Hoschel – #6

• 2032 Yellow Jackets Schneider – #20

• 2032 Yellow Jackets Piscatelli-#154

Final Word

The numbers don’t lie: the Long Island Yellow Jackets are among the top club programs in the country. With a visionary leader, a committed coaching staff, and an unwavering focus on development and excellence, the Yellow Jackets are poised to dominate the club lacrosse scene for years to come.